Drug sting nets seven county residents

Federal authorities announced in San Francisco they arrested a total of 15 of 19 members of an alleged methamphetamine and cocaine ring based in San Francisco and San Mateo counties.

U.S. Attorney Kevin Ryan said more than 300 federal and state law enforcement officers participated in raids early Wednesday in which the 15 defendants were arrested in Northern and Southern California and Hawaii.

The 19 individuals were indicted under seal by a federal grand jury in San Francisco on Tuesday.

San Mateo County residents who were arrested are Dennis Damasen, 28, of Daly City; Kasi Pohahau, 34, and Sinoe Tuifa, 28, of Redwood City; Rafael Ramirez, 36, and Humberto Barraza, 28, of San Mateo; Jason Marx, 26, of San Carlos; and Natali Medina Cisneros, 31, of Woodside.

The 13-count indictment was unsealed by a federal magistrate in San Francisco on Wednesday during an initial court appearance by nine of those arrested.

Ryan said the alleged drug ring operated primarily in San Mateo and San Francisco counties and distributed drugs throughout the San Francisco Bay area and Hawaii.

The U.S. attorney said, "Methamphetamine and cocaine destroy people’s lives, families and communities.”

"The Department of Justice has made the enforcement of methamphetamine offenses a priority and yesterday’s operation is an example of our ongoing commitment to disrupting methamphetamine trafficking organizations,” Ryan said.

He said the arrests culminated a two-year investigation by federal, state and local agencies.

All 19 defendants are accused of conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine. They are also accused of various counts of distributing the two drugs. The sentences, if they are convicted, range from 10 years to life in prison.

Those who were arrested are in custody for the time being and will appear before a federal magistrate in San Francisco at various times next week for detention hearings.

San Francisco residents who were arrested include Linin Bin Suleiman, 30, and Rimoni Sailele, 26.

Others arrested are Shawn Sanchez, 32, of Pittsburg; Marvin Castillo, 26, of Oakland; Michael Angel Jimenez, 32, of Livermore; Craig Hunter, 32, of Sacramento; Cenon Polintan, 32, of Waipahu, Hawaii; and Hiliaumeniueva Tokotaha, 24, of Honolulu.

The four fugitives are Stanley Pryor, 36, of Pittsburg; Luis Flores, 34, of San Francisco; Jose Araiza, 36, of Sylmar; and Jose Ayala, 46, of Azusa.<